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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2026, vol. 32, issue4
Subject Area: Public Health
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026324.7131
Published online: 05 October 2026
Original article
J of IMAB. 2026 Oct-Dec;32(4):7131-7135
IMPACT OF AI-BASED EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL COMPETENCIES IN NURSES: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL PRETEST–POSTTEST STUDY
Minko Milev1
, Silviya Filkova2, Deniz Kavakla3, Penka Mincheva-Bolgurova4, Emil Tsvetkov5,
1) TRS Dental Technician, Medical College, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
2) TRS Rehabilitator, Medical College, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
3) MBAL Hearth and Brain Hospital, Pleven, Bulgaria.
4) National Sports Academy „Vasil Levski“, Sofia, Bulgaria.
5) Sopharma AD Sofia, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Background and Aim: The digital transformation of healthcare requires nurses to possess well-developed digital competencies essential for effective and safe clinical practice. Traditional educational approaches often fail to adequately meet these demands. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of AI-based educational technologies on the development of specific digital competencies in nursing students.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted involving 80 undergraduate nursing students, divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group participated in training using an AI-based simulation platform designed to model the use of electronic health records, telemedicine tools, and clinical decision support systems. The control group received traditional instruction covering the same content. Digital competencies were assessed using a validated instrument administered before and after the intervention (pretest/posttest design). Data were analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA.
Results: The experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant greater improvement in digital competencies compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The most pronounced gains were observed in the interpretation of digital data and the operational use of digital health tools. A post-intervention satisfaction survey indicated high levels of acceptance and motivation among participants, with AI-based simulations rated as realistic and practically applicable.
Conclusion: AI-based educational technologies represent an effective approach for enhancing digital competencies and should be systematically integrated into nursing education.
Keywords: artificial intelligence in education, digital competencies, nurses, simulation-based learning, nursing education,
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Please cite this article as: Milev M, Filkova S, Kavakla D, Mincheva-Bolgurova P, Tsvetkov E. Impact of AI-Based Educational Technologies on the Development of Digital Competencies in Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Pretest–Posttest Studyn. J of IMAB. 2026 Oct-Dec;32(4):7131-7135. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2026324.7131]
Correspondence to: Assoc. Prof. Minko Milev, PhD, Medical College, Medical University, Varna; 84, Tzar Osvoboditel Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria. E-mail: minko.milchev.milev@mu-varna.bg
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Received: 17 April 2026
Published online: 05 October 2026